MADRID // Despite the joy of helping seal Real Madrid’s 33rd Primera Liga title on Sunday, Cristiano Ronaldo slammed his treatment by the media, saying he is not “the devil” he is made out to be.
Ronaldo scored his 40th goal of the season inside two minutes as Madrid won 2-0 at Malaga to depose Barcelona as Spanish champions.
However, when questioned about a gesture he made to Celta Vigo players in Madrid’s 4-1 win over the Galicians on Wednesday insinuating Celta had been offered bonuses to damage Madrid’s title charge, Ronaldo turned on the press pack.
__________________________________
Read more
■ In pictures: Real Madrid celebrate La Liga title win with fans at Plaza de Cibeles
■ Andy Mitten: Barcelona say goodbye to Luis Enrique with a win but Real Madrid clinch title
__________________________________
“People say things about me without knowing a thing and it bothers me. You [the media] say things about Cris without knowing the truth,” said the World Player of the Year.
“I am not a saint, but I am also not a devil like many people think I am.
“I don’t like this type of thing because I have a family, I have a mother, a son, and I don’t like that they say stupid things about me.”
Ronaldo was happier when talking about his contribution on the field to Madrid’s first La Liga title in five years as his early strike at La Rosaleda was his 14th goal in his last nine games.
“I’ve prepared to be in top shape for the end of the season,” he added. “I’ve helped the team with my goals, my decisions and for that I am happy.”
Thousands of Real Madrid fans, many decked in the famous white team jersey, converged in the centre of the Spanish capital to celebrate the club’s title success.
Elated fans cheered and lit flares when the squad arrived on an open-top bus bearing the word “Campeones” (champions) on the side at the club’s traditional celebration spot, the Plaza de Cibeles, as confetti rained down.
Team captain Sergio Ramos and other players decked in white shirts with the number 33 on the back filmed the crowd with mobile phones from the top of the bus, which was escorted by police on horseback.
Ramos took to a walkway over the plaza's fountain and draped the statue of the goddess Cybele with the club flag just before 3am local time as Queen's anthem We Are The Champions blared out from loudspeakers.
Real Madrid left back Marcelo then tied a team scarf around the statue as the crowd cheered.
“We have to win the Champions League now. We are counting on all of your support. Let’s Go! Thank you very much,” Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo said atop the walkway before singing along with the crowd.
Ronaldo and French striker Karim Benzema scored the two goals which gave Madrid their win over Malaga and their first Spanish league title since 2012.
The club will pursue a third Uefa Champions League victory in four seasons in the final against Juventus, who on Sunday secured third successive Serie A and Coppa Italia double, in Cardiff on June 3.
“This is great and on June 3 against Juventus it will be even better,” said 37-year-old Real supporter Emilio Guillen as he celebrated with friends at Plaza de Cibeles.
If Real win the Champions League, it would be the club’s first La Liga and European champions cup double in nearly six decades.
Many fans heaped praise on manager Zinedine Zidane, the former French international who took over the club for his first head coaching job less than two years ago.
“Hiring Zidane was the best decision Real has made in a long time,” said Alfredo Cordero, 36, who had a club flag draped over his back.
The team will be welcomed to Madrid city hall on Monday for a ceremony to celebrate their Spanish league win.
“They are players of a very high quality, so I don’t have to say more. I am a Real Madrid fan and I am thrilled,” said 31-year-old Real supporter Alvaro Morales.
* Agence France-Presse
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
